A Sharon woman was held on $500,000 cash bail Monday after pleading not guilty in the Sunday night crash in Stoughton that killed a pregnant woman walking down the sidewalk with her son, officials said.

By Dana Trismen

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Dana Trismen

Posted Jul. 22, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 22, 2013 at 10:22 PM

By Dana Trismen

Posted Jul. 22, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 22, 2013 at 10:22 PM

STOUGHTON

» Social News

A Sharon woman was held on $500,000 cash bail Monday after pleading not guilty in the Sunday night crash in Stoughton that killed a pregnant woman walking down the sidewalk with her son, officials said.

Karen Blau, 46, of 10 Suffolk Road, Sharon, was arrested at the scene of the 8:45 p.m. accident and arraigned on Monday in Stoughton District Court. She is charged with motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation, operating under the influence of drugs with serious injury, operating under the influence of liquor with serious injury, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to remain in marked lane.

"Additional charges are possible," Stoughton Deputy Police Chief Robert Devine said a statement.

Blau's husband and two children were in the courtroom; her daughter sobbed audibly.

The victim, Joanne White, 35, was 3 1/2 months pregnant, her family said this morning from their Stoughton home, and would walk every Sunday the quarter mile from her Lincoln Street apartment to her parent's home.

Stoughton police said in a press release that Blau backed out of a driveway at 107 Lincoln St., "at a high rate of speed, crossed onto the opposite sidewalk and struck the victim before coming to rest against a tree."

Walking with White was her 11-year-old son, Jahmara, the victim’s mother, 56-year-old Joan White, told the Enterprise. The prosecutor said in court he got behind the tree and avoided being strruck. White said Monday her daughter saw the car coming and told her son to run.

“She was very protective and very close with him, but this time she told him to run,” she said.

"If you're drunk and on drugs then don't drive," her father, Joe White, 55, said through tears this morning at his home. "I lost a child and grandchild in one day."

Blau's attorney, James Gavigan, said her client is "pretty distraught." Gavigan said Blau had put the car in reverse and as it backed up, she had "no control" over the vehicle.

"She's in shock," Gavigan said, adding he plans to seek a reduction in the bail amount in superior court later this week.

Meanwhile, Carmen Revera, who lived in an apartment downstairs from White on Lincoln Street, described the victim to The Enterprise as a “nice person,” and a good housemate."

Revera also witnessed the accident, and called White’s boyfriend and family, who came to the scene. “We were screaming, jumping: help, help, help,” Revera recalled.

Revera said Joanne White had spent the previous day choosing baby names with her boyfriend.

Upon arrival at the scene Sunday night, Stoughton police officers and firefighters encountered a pregnant pedestrian on the ground suffering injuries after being struck by a motor vehicle, police said.

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Stoughton Police and Fire attempted life-saving aid before the victim was transported via helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital, police said. She was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Blau’s driver’s license was active at the time of the accident, her driving record shows.

Also on her record at the Registry of Motor Vehicles are four surchargeable accidents, as well as a number of suspensions for failing to pay citations on time and for outstanding warrant issues, which were not detailed on her driving record.

In the past, Blau has been guilty of the following motor vehicle charges: failure to stop, improper or unregistered equipment, failing to keep right, without possession of a registration or license, failure to signal and a lane violation, her record shows.

According to Sara Lavoie, press secretary for the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Blau’s “right to operate was suspended for a time based on outstanding financial obligations in the state of Rhode Island following a search of the National Driver Register.”

The Registry could revoke or suspend her driver’s license in the wake of the fatal accident in Stoughton.

Erin Shannon may be reached at eshannon@enterprisenews.com or follow on Twitter @Erin_Enterprise.